Luke 2:25-29

“ Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.’”

Simeon is one of my favorite personalities in Luke’s account of the birth of Christ. His life is characterized by righteousness, prayerfulness, being led by the Spirit, faithfulness and patience.

PATIENCE: THE ORPHAN VIRTUE OF TODAY’S CHURCH: James 5:7-10

“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.”

1. Patience is required. Colossians 3:12

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

2. Patience is reasonable. Ephesians 4:2

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

3. Patience is realistic. Psalm 19:8

“The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” -James 1:27.

PATIENCE: A WORTHY GOAL FOR EVERY BELIEVER: Galatians 5:22

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”

1. Patience is developed by imitating God’s character. James 5:11

“As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”

2. Patience is cultivated by surrendering control. Philippians 2:8

“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!”

3. Patience is achieved by submitting to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:5-6

“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;”

“Advent patience is rooted in the conviction that God’s time is always

  • the best time,
  • the right time,
  • the only time.”